Instead I say, “Text me when you get home.”
She hesitates.
“Jaxon..."
“Please,” I murmur.
She nods, cheeks pink.
“I will.”
Good.
Because I’m going to worry until she does.
EVAN
Ruby walks into the office two hours later.
He sees the dress. He sees the hair. He sees the glow.
And his stomach drops.
Again.
He forces a smile.
“Morning.”
She avoids his eyes.
“Hi.”
That’s it.
That’s all he gets.
He watches her sit down.
Sees her wince slightly.
And realizes, she’s gone.
Completely gone.
And nothing he does will bring her back.
RUBY
I sit at my desk and pretend to work.
I can still feel his mouth on my skin. I can still feel his hands on my hips. I can still feel the way he held me afterward like I mattered.
And that is what terrifies me.
Not the sex. Not the secrecy. Not the chaos.
It’s the way I’m starting to want him in the quiet moments.
